Device for inserting pessaries



Aug. 12, 1941. M. SILVER 2,252,212

DEVICE FOR INSERTING PESSARIES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Max SzZ/uer Gama/0W ATTORNEYS Aug. 12, 1941. s v 2,252,212

DEVICE FOR INSERTING PESSARIES Filed Feb. 12, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 61 D a2 F14]. 1 R as 64- v INVENTOR. Max Si Zver ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR INSEBTING PESSABIES Max Silver, Bronx, N. Y.

. Application February 12, 1940, Serial No. 318,578

'11 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for insertin pessaries into the vaginal canal, and has particular reference to devices for facilitating the introduction of pessaries of the so-called diaphragm type into the vaginal canal in proper position for their intended purpose.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the foregoing type, which is of very simple and relatively inexpensive construction, which is adapted to securely hold a pessary until the pessary is placed in proper position within the vaginal canal, and which is adapted to be readily released from the pessary and removed from the vaginal canal, leaving the pessary in proper position within the canal.

Another object of importance is to provide a device of the foregoing type, which can be used for its intended purpose by unskilled persons upon themselves as well as by skilled operators such as doctors and nurses.

i Another important object is to provide a device of the foregoing type, which is of such form and construction that it can be used without injury to the delicate tissues and can be readily cleaned and sterilized.

A further object of importance is to provide a device of the foregoing type which is so constructed that it can be used to facilitate the removal of the pessary from the vaginal canal, after the pessary has served its purpose.

The device of the invention is particularly well adapted to be embodied in various forms of construction, each form of construction consisting essentially of an elongated body such as a rod or bar having means at one or both end for engaging the rim of a diaphragm type of pessary, the body being provided between its ends with one or Figure 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention:

Figure 5 is a similar view of the device of Figure 4, having mounted thereon a pessary and being inserted within the vagina so as to leave the pessary in proper position;

Figure 6 is a side view, partly broken away, of another embodiment of the invention which differs from the others in being made of wire:

Figure 7 is a cross-section taken on line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side-elevation of a further embodiment;

Figure 9 is a cross-section taken on line 98 of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and more particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device is seen to consist of a smooth curved rod or bar I provided at each of its ends with a protuberance or enlarged portion 2. Each protuberance or enlarged portion is provided at its end with a transverse groove or notch indicated by the numeral 3 for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out. The

convex side of the rod or bar is shown as bein provided with a number of projections 4, 5, 6 and I. The projections are illustrated as being arranged in the two pairs 4, 5, and 5, 1. The pair 4, 5 are inclined toward the forward end of the device, while the pair 6, 6 are inclined in the opmore protuberances for engaging another portion of the rim of the pessary.

Referring briefly to the drawings, wherein are shown several illustrative embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with one of the embodiments;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the same embodiment, a so-called diaphragm type of pessary being held in proper position on said device for insertion in the vagina;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, which differs from the device of Figures 1 and 2 in being provided at one end with a hook for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out;

posite direction, all for a purpose to be pointed out.

The manner of use of this embodiment is illustrated in Figure 2. The letter D represents a pessary of the so-called diaphragm type. This type of pessary consists of a substantially hemispherical shell of thin rubber having a resilient rim R, and is stretchable as shown in Figure 2, so that one portion of the rim may be engaged in one of the end notches 3 of the device and the opposite portion of the rim may be engaged by one of the projections 4, 5, 6 and I. The pessary may be applied to the device from either end, and the fact that the device has a plurality of projections renders it possible to use one size of device forvdiiferently sized pessaries. As previously noted, one set of projections is inclined toward the forward end of the device, while the other set is inclined the other way. Hence, when the pessary is applied from one end of the device, the opposite portion of the rim is caused to engage with one of the projections, which is inclined toward the other end, so that the stretched pessary is,he1d securely in position on the device. The manner of inserting the device and applied pessary will be explained in reference to the embodiment of Figure 4.

The device of Figure 3 differs from the first embodiment merely in the fact that the device is provided at one end with a hook to facilitate the removal of the pessary from the vagina, after the pessary has served its purpose. Referring to Figure 3, the curved bar or rod constituting the "body of the device is indicated by the numeral l l. The protuberance at one end (forward end) is denoted by it, and the protuberance at the other end by it. The protuberance H2 at the forward end is provided with a transverse groove or notch it, while the protuberance at the opposite end is provided with a similar groove or notch l5 and with a smooth, rounded hook I6. This embodiment is also provided on its con vex surface with the two sets of projections til, it and i9, 2b, which correspond to the projections d, 5, 6 and l of the first embodiment.

Referring to Figure 4., it will be noted that the embodiment illustrated in said figure is similar to the one shown in Figure 3, difiering therefrom merely in the form of projections on the convex side of the device. In this figure, the rodlike body is designated by the numeral 2i, and is shown as provided with the enlarged end portions or protuberances 22 and 23. The protuberance 22 is shown provided with the transverse notch or groove 24, while the protuberance 23 is shown provided with the transverse notch or groove 25 and with the smooth, rounded hook 25, which may be used to facilitate removal of the pessary from the vagina. A similar hook may be provided at the end 22. The numerals 211, 28, 2%, 30, Si and 32 indicate a number of projections on the convex side of the rod M. It is to be noted that each projection is undercut on each side, as indicated by the numerals 33 and 3 5 in the case of projection 21?, so that it can engage the rim of a pessary whether the pessary is applied from the end 22 or the end 23. It will be noted that the numerals 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, and 105 are marked along the device from the end 23, each numeral being placed near the further side of one of the protuberances from the end 23. These numerals represent diameters of pessaries in millimeters. n the opposite (hidden) side, (see Figure the protuberances may be marked from the end 22 with the designations 50, 6Q, 70, 80, 90 and 100. Hence, the instrument may be used for a range of sizes of pessaries from 50 to 105 millimeters. If the pessary is an even size, such as 60 millimeters, the pessary is applied to the instrument from the end 22, while if it is an odd size, such as 75, it is applied from the end 23. As in the forms of device previously described, the pessary is applied by engaging the rim R in the end notch 24 or 25, and an opposite portion of the rim is engaged with one of the protuberances 21 to 32, depending upon the size of the pessary. The fact that the device is marked as above indicated renders it possible to use the device to ascertain the proper size of pessary for any woman.

The manner in which the device may be used to properly position a pessary within the vaginal canal is shown in Figure 5. The pessary U is in stretched condition. If considered preferable, the pessary may be applied dome-down instead of dome-up, and may advantageously be covered with an antiseptic jelly lubricant. The device carrying the pessary, as above described, is imserted into the vaginal canal with a gentle back= ward pressure. The shape of the instrument makes this avery simple operation and entirely obviates any possibility of injury to the delicate tissues. When the device has been inserted as far as possible, the outer end is raised somewhat and turned slightly, thereby releasing the device from the pessary and rendering it possible to remove the device from the canal without the pessary. The pessary itself is left in the vaginal canal securely positioned between the pubic bone and the posterior cul de sac and completely covering the cervix. The pessary is held in place against unintentional displacement, and can be readily removed either by means of the fingers or by use of the hook 2b.

The foregoing description of the manner of using the device applies equally well to all the embodiments of the invention.

The embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7 difiers from the previously described embodiments primarily in the fact that it is made of wire. As illustrated, it may be made by fash-= ioning a single length of wire into the proper shape. The device consists of the body portion ii, which is curved in the general manner of the other embodiments. One end 52 is formed into a protuberance having a notch 63, while the other end is formed with a combined notch and hook Ml. The numerals d5, tit and 6! denote three projections formed on the convex side of the device. To apply a pessary to this form of device, one portion of the rim is engaged with either end 32 or id and an opposite portion of the rim is engaged with one of the projections :35, 55 and till. The hook dd may be used to facilitate the removal of the pessary from the vaginal canal after it has served its purpose.

In Figures 8 and 9 is disclosed another embodiment of the invention, in which a single adjustable projection takes the place of the plurality of projections of the other embodiments. The device is shown as having the curved body 5i provided with the end'protuberances 52 and 53, which are formed with the notches 544 and 55 respectively. One or both protuberances may also be provided with a smooth withdrawal hook (not shown) similar to those described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

The body 5i is provided on its convex side with a groove 56, which may extend the greater portion of the length of the device. This groove is dove-tailed in cross-section, and receives a projection or detent 571, which is mounted within said groove for slidable movement therein. The projection is provided with two oppositedly directed hook portions 58 and 59, so that the projection may engage the rim of a pessary, which is applied to the device from either end of the device. A plurality of set screws 60 are provided along the length of the device from the concave side thereof, so that the projection 51 may be held against movement at any desired position along the length of the device. It will be understood from the foregoing description that the device of Figures 8 and 9 may be used in a manner substantially similar to the other embodiments, the only difference being that the projection 5'0, being adjustable, may be used with any of the various sizes of pessaries.

Reference will now be had to Figure 10, wherein is shown a form of construction provided with means to positively release the device from the pessary after the pessary has been properly positioned within the vaginal canal. The device has a body portion ii, to the forward end of which is detachably secured, as by means of cooperating screw threads, a slightly curved rod 62, formed at its free end with an enlargment or protuberance 63, which is provided with a transverse groove or notch 64. This groove or notch is for the purpose of engaging the rim of the pessary to be inserted into the vagina.

Detachably secured to the opposite end of the body 6!, as by means of screw threads, is a tubular portion 85 having the apertured end wall 66. Extending through the body 6i and the tubular portion 65 is a rod 61. This rod extends through the apertured end wall 56 and is provided at said end with a finger-hold or grip 68. At the end nearest the curved rod 62, the rod 61 is provided with a detent or projection 68, which is intended to age a portion of the rim of a pessary. As shown in Figure 10, the body BI is broken away near its attachment to the curved rod 62 so as to render the detent or projection 69 accessible. It is to be noted that the detent or projection is bent toward the finger-hold 68 so as to hold the rim of the pessary securely.

Positioned within the tubular-element 65 and coiled about the rod 6'! is a spring 10, which is confined between the body 6| and a collar Ii, which is fixed to the rod 61.

It is to be noted that normally the spring 10 tends to keep the detent 69 and the groove 64 as far apart as possible. A pessary D (see Figure 10) may be applied to the device by engaging the rim R thereof in the groove 64 and engaging another part of the rim with the detent 69. This operation may be facilitated by pressing on the finger-hold 68. When the pressure on the finger-hold is relieved, the pessary is held in stretched condition, as is indicated in Figure 10. The device and the pessary are then introduced into the vaginal canal as previously described, and when the pessary is properly positioned, pressure is applied to the finger-hold 68, thereby releasing the device from the pessary so that the device can readily be removed fromthe vaginal canal without displacing the pessary. The fact that the detent or projection 69 is movable as above described renders it possible to use the present embodiment of the invention with pessaries varying considerably in size.

Having described several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

This application is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 615,295 filed June 4, 1932.

I claim:

1. In an introducer, the combination of an elongated body having means at its forward end for holding an edge of the article to be introduced, a detent guided to slide in the body and elongated body having means at its forward end for holding an edge of the article to be introduced, said body being provided intermediate its ends with a projection for enga ing the article, and means for adjustably positioning said projection at any one of a number of positions along the body.

4. In a diaphragm pessary inserter, the combination of an elongated body having means at its forward end for holdingan edge of the article to be introduced, said body being provided intermediate its ends with a plurality of projections for selective engagement with said article.

5. A diaphragm pessary inserter, comprising a smooth convexed rod having a notched end, and a hook element slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot formed on the convex side of the rod, and means for holding said hook element in any one of a number of selected positions within said slot.

6. A gynecologic instrument consisting of a bar-like body shaped at one end for engagement with the rim of a pessary and slotted lengthwise throughout a portion of its length, a second pessary rim engaging member adjustable in the slot, and a screw bolt for securing the member as adjusted.

7. A gynecologic instrument consisting of a bar-like body shaped at one end for engagement with the rim of a pessary and slotted lengthwise throughout a portion of its length, a second pessary rimengaging member adjustable in the slot, and means for securing the member as adjusted.

8. A diaphragm pessary inserter comprising a smooth curved rod having a notched end adapted to engage an edge of a diaphragm pessary, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced hook-shaped projections on the convex side of said rod, each of said projections being selectively adapted to engage the edge of said pessary diametrically opposite to the edge engaged by the notched end of said rod.

9. A diaphragm pessary inserter comprising an elongated body having a notch at each end thereof, and being provided intermediate said ends with a projection, said projection being adapted to engage an edge of a diaphragm pessary, and said notches being selectively adapted to engage an opposite edge of said pessary.

10. A diaphragm pessary inserter comprising an elongated body having a notch at each end thereof, and being provided intermediate said ends with a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections, each of said notches being selectively adapted to engage an edge of said pessary, and each of said projections being selectively. adapted to engage an opposite edge of said pessary.

11. In a device for inserting a pessary into the vagina, the combination of an elongated body provided with means near one end for engaging one portion of the rim of the pessary, and provided intermediate its ends with means for engaging another portion of the rim of the pessary. said body being provided at one end with a hook to facilitate the removal of the pessary from the vagina.

- MAX SILVER.

Di 5 C L A I M E R 2,252,212.Ma2: Silver, Bronx, N. Y. DEVICE FOR INBERTING PESBARIES. Patent dated August 12, 1941. Disclaimer filed September 27, 1944, by the inve'ntor.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 in said specification.

[Ofiic'ial Gazette October 17, 1944.] 

